Press



Dec. 19, 1967 c, D E 3,358,591

PRESS Filed Oct. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet l C) Cr) 7 INVENTOR Charles R. Bradkze BY v w We!!! v QM EORNELS Dec. 19, 1967 c. R. BRADLEE 3,358,591

PRESS Filed Oct. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 I 65 ll:

659 s INVENTOR Charles R. Eradlee BY DaQ i/d M8 ATTORNEYS 1967 c. R. BRADYLEE 3,358,591

PRESS Filed Oct. 25, 1965 '4 SheetsSheet 4 INVENTOR H3 1 i Chafles R. Brad\ee,

United States Patent F 3,358,591 PRESS Charles Robert Bradlee, Cheshire, Conn., assignor to Textron Inc., Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,199 21 Claims. (Cl. 100-257) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a press having a plurality of plungers slidably mounted in a ram where the limits of movement or lash of the plungers is independently adjustable by members interposed between the ram and the surface of each plunger. The members are independently adjustable to predetermine the forming stroke of each plunger. The disclosure also relates to a ram drive mechanism which utilizes interchangeable split cams fitted about an eccentric surface on the drive cam shaft.

This invention relates to presses, and more particularly relates to machines of the type adapted to operate upon and form workpieces on a plurality of aligned plungers, being of a type which may be generally referred to as eyelet machines.

Machines of the type to which this invention pertains generally comprise a plurality of plungers vertically extending in side-by-side aligned relationship, each carrying a punch or forming tool, adapted to act upon workpieces successively moved along the punches. Each plunger and the forming tool carried thereby is generally operated by an individual one of a plurality of cams mounted on a cam shaft rotatably mounted above the plungers. In such machines there is usually associated with each plunger a driving cam to drive the plunger downwardly on the workpiece, and a lifting cam to lift the plunger away from the workpiece.

The present invention provides a new and improved machine of the general type described in which the number of cams required to operate the plungers is greatly reduced. A further improvement in a machine embodying the present invention is the provision of means for adjusting the lash of each individual plunger with great accuracy and facility. This invention further provides a new and improved cam and cam shaft structure wherein the drive and lifting cams may be readily interchanged and which allows a greater ratio of driving to lifting distance with smaller size cams. Additionally, this cam and cam shaft arrangement provides for higher speed and reduces the torque reaction on the cam.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved press of the type described.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved press which eliminates the requirement of a driving and lifting cam with each plunger.

Another object of this invention is to provide a press of the type described having new and improved means for adjusting the total lash of each plunger.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved cam drive for a multiple tool press of the type described.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved drive mechanism including cam and cam shaft for a machine of the type described.

The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, the invention, both as to its operation and organization together with further objects and advantages thereof, may

3,358,591 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 best be appreciated by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a transfer press embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the transfer press of FIG. I seen in the plane of lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view partly in section seen in the plane of line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged View of a portion of the ram seen from the left in FIG. 2.

FIG. .5 is a section of the ram and a plunger therein seen in the plane of line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view seen in the plane of lines 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view seen in the plane of line 7-7 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view, partially cut away which illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

A machine embodying the invention is generally indicated by the ference numeral 19 and comprises spaced apart upright side frames 11 and 12 and a horizontal die bed 13 therebetween. The side frames 11 and 12 are connected across the top thereof by means 14 and 15. A plurality of aligned die blocks 16 are carried on die bed 13. A ram 17 is slidably mounted between side frames 11 and 12 for vertical reciprocatory motion as hereinafter described. Ram 17 has an upper section 17a spaced above and in fixed relation to lower section 1711 which carries therein a plurality of plungers 18. Ram sections 17a and 17b are joined by a plurality of tie rods 19 and rigid spacing elements 2%). Ram 17 is cam operated by a pair of cam shafts 21. Each cam shaft has journal portions 22 and 23 which are rotatably supported in bearing brackets 24 and 25, secured to the underside of beams 14 and 15 by means of tie bolts 26.

The journal ends of cam shaft 21 are rotatably supported in brackets 24 and 25 by bearing assemblies 27 and 28, respectively. Mounted to the end of the cam shaft 21 are blocks 30 and 31. Suitable sealing members are disposed about the brackets 24 and 25 and bearing assemblies 27 and 28. The cam shafts are driven by means of worm gears 32 keyed thereto which are, in turn, driven by a worm shaft 33. Worm shaft 33 is driven by a motor 34 having a pulley 35 thereon which through belt 36 drives a larger pulley 37 on worm shaft 33.

Worm shaft 33 is supported at the opposite end thereof in a journal bracket 39 and through bevel gears 40 and 41 is connected to shaft 42. Shaft 42 has a worm 43 thereon which drives a worm wheel 44 fast on shaft 45. Cams 46, also on shaft 45, operate a plurality of hell cranks 47 which, in turn, operate ejection pins 48 at each station to eject workpieces from the dies of the die block 16.

The press 10 is further provided with a die-to-die transfer mechanism and blanking punch generally indicated at 49, together with a drive 50 therefor to sequentially move the workpieces from die-to-die. Such transfer mechanism forms no part of the present invention and is not described in detail. Suffice it to say that such transfer mechanisms are well known to those skilled in the art and generally comprise a plurality of pairs of fingers arranged to grasp a workpiece as it is ejected from a die block and move the workpieces to subsequent die blocks.

For reasons hereinafter explained, cam shaft 21 is constructed with an eccentric cam carrying crank 52 having fast thereon a pair of driving cams 53, and a lifting cam 54. Rotatably carried at the upper section of a ram 17 is a cam follower 541: comprising a bearing assembly mounted on a support member 54b which is secured to the upper portion of ram 17 by means of bolts 55. Cam 54 is arranged to lift ram 17 at the end of its downward stroke upon rotation of lifting cam 54. A pair of cam followers 56 are rotatably mounted on ram 17 adjacent driving cams 53. With this arrangement, when cam shafts 21 are rotated, cams 53 acting upon followers 56 will drive ram 17 downwardly and upon further rotation thereof pass the bottom dead center position of ram 17. Then cam 54 acting on cam followers 54a will raise ram 17. Cam followers 56 are mounted on support members 57 carried on lower section 17b of ram 17, and comprise roller bearing assemblies having their inner races fast on member 57.

Ram 17 is slidably mounted in frame members 11 and 12 as more clearly exemplified in FIG. 3. Extending from side frame 12 and illustrated as integral therewith is a vertical rail 60. Rail 60 cooperates with ram 17 and a generally L-shaped guide member 61 secured thereto as by means of bolts 62 (only one shown). Bearing plates 63 slidably engaging rail 60 on either side thereof are carried by ram 17 and guide member 61 thereof. Also carried by ram 17 is a member 64 having a rail-like extension 65. Guide member 66 secured to side frame 12 and guide member 67 secured to member 66 carry bearing blocks 68 which slidably engage rail-like extension on either side thereof. The other end of ram 17 may be similarly slidably connected to side frame 11. This arrangement, in essence, defines a pair of ways at each end of ram 17 upon which the ram may vertically reciprocate as it is driven by the cams.

Slidably carried in ram 17 in longitudinally aligned relation along the length thereof is the plurality of plungers 18. Each of the plungers 18 is of generally cylindrical rodlike form and carries or has integrally formed therewith a punch or tool holder 69. Each tool holder 69 defines a recess 70 therein to receive a punch or forming tool, which is suitably locked therein.

In accordance with the invention means are provided for controlling the lash of each plunger with respect to ram 17, and further for independently controlling the position of each plunger 18 in ram 17. A guide member 71 having block portions 72 and 73 is secured to plunger 18 at two points. Block 72. is fitted into a relieved portion 74 in plunger 18 and secured thereto as by means of a bolt 75. Block 73 is secured to tool holder 69 as by means of bolt 76. Rail or slide portion 77 of member 71 is received between a pair of guide blocks 78 associated with each plunger and attached to ram 17. Slide 77 rides between blocks 78 thus preventing any turning motion of plungers 18 in ram 17.

Block 72 cooperates with a block 79 carried on ram 17 to predetermine the lash during the upstroke of ram 17 As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 plungers 18 are in a position representative of the bottom of the stroke.

Means are provided on the ram to cooperate with the plunger and predetermine the position thereof during a forming operation. Carried in the bottom of ram 17 for cooperation with each forming punch is a bifurcated wedge 80 (FIGS. 5 and 6) having spaced apart arm portion-s 80a and 80b on either side of an associated plunger 18. The wedges 80 have a horizontal lower surface and the lower surfaces of arms 80a and 80b rest on top of tool holder 69 as shown in FIG. 5. The upper surfaces of wedges 80 are inclined and slide upon a complementary inclined surface 81 of ram 17. Wedges 80 reside in a recess 82 in the bottom of ram 17 and are slidable on surface 81.

To slide the wedges 80 along surface 81 a hollow headed bolt 83 is threadably received into a bore provided therefor through surface 84 of ram 17. A locking nut 85 is disposed about bolt 83 and abuts surface 84. A second bolt 86 extends through bolt 83 and is threadably received in wedge 80, and the head thereof normally abuts the head of bolt 83.

The position of wedge 80 in recess 82 is set by unlocking nut 85 on bolt 83 and turning bolt 83 to advance wedge 80 by directly exerting a pushing force thereon, or by exerting a pulling force thereon through the head of bolt 86. Wedge 80 is drawn up tight against the end of bolt 83 by means of its threaded connection with bolt 86. When wedge 80 is in the desired position with the end of sleeve bolt 83 abutting the'reagainst, bolt 86 is tightened to lock surface 87 of wedge 80. As Wedge 80 is moved along surface 81 of ram 17, the bottom surface 89 thereof moves vertically and predetermines the vertical dimension between the top of tool holder 69 and the bottom of ram 17. In this manner, the forming position of each plunger 18 may be independently varied.

On the down or driving stroke of ram 17 the forming pressure is transmitted to a punch or tool (not shown) in holder 69 from ram 17 through wedge 80 to the tool therein. The adjusted position of tool holder 69 by means of wedge 80 determines the penetration of the tool or punch into the respective dies 16.

At the end of a forming stroke, ram 17 is raised, block 79 carried on ram 17 engages block 72 on member 71, and raises plunger 18 with ram 17. Thereafter, as ram 17 is driven downwardly in a forming stroke, surface 89 of wedge 80 will engage the top surface of tool holder 69 and impart forming pressure thereto. While the apparatus of FIGS. 4 and 5 have been described in the singular, it will be understood that each forming plunger is so arranged in the ram.

The wedges 80 are guida-bly mounted in recess 82 by means of guide rails 90 secured to surface 81 of ram 17 as by means of a plurality of threaded bolts 91 (only one shown). Guides 90 have ledges 92 which overhang relieved edges 93 of adjacent wedges 80 and, more particularly, surfaces 94 thereof. The guides 90 serve to properly space adjacent wedges as well as provide guides or rails therefor.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention the cam mounting portion 52 of cam shafts 20, FIG 7, are formed eccentric to the axes 2011 by a predetermined distance. Cam 53 is formed in two sections, and 101, which are joined together along a line 102 which coincides with a diameter of the shaft mounting aperture defined in the cam, and shaft 52 which is received through such aperture. Cam sections 100 and 101 are suitably drilled and tapped to receive fastening bolts 103 and 104 therein. Received in a slot provided in shaft portion 52 is a key 105, also received partly in section 101,

to securely fix cam 53 to shaft 52.

This construction presents several desirable advantages. Because of the crank arm of the eccentric shaft portion the cam 53 may be reduced in size. A reduced cam size allows higher operating speeds. Additionally, the cams may be formed with less eccentricity inasmuch as during rotation thereof the crank arm is effectively added to the radius of the cam when in a driving position. Since the cam may be formed to approximately a more circular shape, the torque arm, that is, the perpendicular distance between the axis of shaft portion 53 and a line normal to the tangent at the point of contact between the cam and cam follower is substantially decreased. As a result, the cams may actuate a larger load or, alternatively, a smaller key 105 may be required. This arrangement allows an increased driving to lifting ratio in the cams.

An additional benefit is that the split cams may be readily changed without pullingthe cam shaft from the machine. Therefore, the cams may be regarded as tooling items and changed with .a job, as may be required, rather than as a capital expenditure. In previous machines. of this general type, commonly referred to as eyelet machines, changing of cams requires that the cam shaft be removed from the machine and cams pressed off the shaft, and then the replacement cams pressed on. With the cam shaft construction provided herein, any one of a plurality of cams may be removed and replaced on a cam shaft without removal of other cams thereon. It is to be understood that while this aspect of the invention has been disclosed in a forming apparatus of the type described, it may be equally utilized in a machine of the type generally referred to as an eyelet machine.

Another form of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8 which illustrates in part a multiple plunger press 110 comprising a ram 111 vertically reciprocable between upright frame members (not shown). Ram member 111 may be mounted as shown in conjunction with the press of FIG. 1. Slidably mounted in ram 111 are a plurality of aligned plungers 112 each adapted to cooperate with an associated die block 113. The plungers 112 'are cylindrical in shape and at the back thereof (not shown) are provided with a guide means similar to that previously described, but without the motion-limiting function. Attached to or formed with each of plungers 112 is a punch holder 113a at the bottom thereof adapted to receive and hold therein a punch or forming tool 113]). Received in each of plungers 112'at the top thereof is a threaded shaft 114 threadably received coaxially within plunger 112. Shaft 114 passes through the bore 115 of a lash-adjusting member in the form of an annular nut 116 having its outer periphery threaded to mate with the internal threads 117 defined in a recess 118 in ram 111. Each of shafts 114 is threadably received into a lifter rod 119 which extends through a top bridging member 120 between the side frames and through a frictional-retaining device 121. Lifter rods 119 are normally held in the frictional devices 121 and move therein only when motion is imparted to the lifter rod or plunger by the motion of ram 111. Plunger 112 may be formed with a portion of reduced diameter 122 within the bore of nut 116 to define an abutment surface 123 in the form of a shoulder which is adapted to be engaged by the underside of nut 116. Alternatively, the plungers 112 may be terminated to provide an upper abutment surface.

'In operation, when ram 111 is driven downwardly the under surface of nut 116 abuts surface 123 of plunger 112 and applies from ram 111 a forming force thereto. During the upstroke of ram 111 the upper surface of not 116 will engage the under surface 124 of lifter rod 119 and through shaft 114 lift plunger 112. The upstroke lash or clearance between the upper surface of nut 116 and the lower surface of lifter rod 119 may be adjusted by varying the position of lifter'rod 119 on shaft 114.

To adjust the plungers'and thereby predetermine the bottom position of the punches actuated thereby, nut 116 be threadablyadvanced or backed off with respect to the depth of recess'118. It will be apparent that the deeper the nut 116 is inserted into recess 113 the lower will be the'bottom position of the. punches carried by plungers 112.

In the above described manner the position of each plunger and therefor the punch or tool carried thereby may be'pr'ed'eterrniried both 'at the bottom of the downstroke of ram 111 and also at the top of the upstroke thereof.

It may thus beseen that the objects of the invention set forth as well as those made apparent from the preceding disclosure are efficiently attained. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for purposes of disclosure, other embodiments of the invention as well as modifications to the disclosed embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments of the invention which do not depart from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame, a plurality of aligned plungers slidably carried in said ram, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions and means coupled to each plunger and cooperating with said ram for independently predetermining the movement of each plunger in said ram.

2. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame, a plurality of aligned plungers slidably carmeans for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, and an adjusting member positioned between said tool holder and said ram and determining the distance therebetween when said ram is in said lower position.

4. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame, a plurality of aligned plungers slidably carried in said ram, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, at least one of said plungers having a tool holder at the lower end thereof defining an upper bearing surface, a member carried by said ram overlying said bearing surface so that upon downward movement of said ram, said member engages said plunger and applies a forming force thereto.

5. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame, a plurality of aligned plungers slidably carried in said ram, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, and means carried on said ram and adapted to cooperate with each of said plungers for independently predeterming the movement of each of said plungers in said ram. 7

6. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame for vertical movement, a plurality of aligned forming plungers slidably carried in said ram, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, and means adjustably carried on said ram and adapted to cooperate with each plunger for independently predetermining the movement of each plunger in said ram.

7. In a forming machine having plungers arranged to be driven between a forming position and a raised position by means of lifting and driving cams, the improvement comprising a cam shaft rotatably mounted in said machine, said cam shaft having an eccentric crank portion,

lifting and driving cams mounted to said eccentric crank and having a shaft mounting aperture therethrough to re ceive said crank, said cams being formed in two parts and detachably joined together along a line coinciding with a diameter of the aperture, and lifting and driving cam followers adapted to be acted upon by said lifting and driving cams, respectively.

' 8. In a forming machine having a ram arranged to be driven between a forming position and a raised position by means of lifting and driving cams, the improvement comprising a cam shaft rotatably mounted in said machine, said cam shaft having an eccentric crank portion, lifting and driving cams mounted to said eccentric crank and having a shaft mounting aperture therethrough to receive said crank, said cams being formed in two parts and detachably joined together along a line coinciding with a diameter of the aperture, said cam parts being held together in compression by means joining said parts on opposite sides of said crank, and lifting and driving cam followers adapted to be acted upon by said lifting and driving cams, respectively.

9. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame, a plurality of aligned plungers slidably carried in said ram, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, each of said plungers having a tool holder thereon, and means interposed between each of said tool holders and said ram 7 for predetermining the position of said plungers with re spect to said ram when said ram is in a forming position,

said ram being provided with an inc-lined lower surface, said plungers extending through said inclined surface, wedge-like members associated with each of said plungers slidable along said inclined surface to predetermine a minimum dimension between said inclined surface and 7 said tool holders.

10. The press of claim 9 further including means carlied on said ram for guiding movement of said wedge-like members along said inclined surface.

11. The press of claim 9 wherein said Wedge-like mem- .bers are formed with spaced apart arms defining a slot therebetween receiving a plunger therein.

12. The press of claim 9 further including means carried by said ram for locking each of said wedge-like members in a predetermined position on said inclined surface.

13. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame for vertical movement, a plurality of aligned plungers slidably carried in said ram, at least one of said plungers carrying a tool holder at the lower end thereof, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, an adjusting member positioned between said tool holder and said ram and determining the distance therebetween when said ram is in said lower position, said adjusting member having an inclined upper surface slidable upon a complimentary lower surface of said ram and a lower surface adapted to abut said tool holder, and means for moving said adjusting member along said complementary lower surface.

14. The press of claim 13 wherein said adjusting member is formed with spaced apart arms defining a slot therebetween, said plunger extending through said slot.

15. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame for vertical movement, a plurality of aligned plungers slidably carried in said ram, at least one of said plungers carrying a tool holder at the lower end thereof, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, an adjusting member positioned between said tool holder and said ram and determining the distance therebetween when said ram is in said lower position, guide means carried by said plunger and said tool holder at spaced apart points, and means on said ram defining a guide slot receiving said guide means,

said guide means having an abutment surface thereon arranged to contact an abutment surface on said ram when said ram is raised.

16, A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame, a plurality of aligned plungers slidably carried in said ram, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, at least one of said plungers defining an upper bearing surface, a member carried by said ram overlying said surface so that upon downward movement of said ram, said member engages said plunger and applies a forming force thereto, said member being threadably received in said ram to ad- 'just its position therein and predetermine the relation of tending from the upper surface of said plunger through said member, a lifter rod carried in said frame and receiving said shaft therein above said member, so that upon the upstroke of said ram said member strikes said, lifter rod and raises said plunger.

18. The press of claim 16 wherein said shaft is threadably received in said plunger and said lifter rod and said lifter rod is adjustable longitudinally with respect to said shaft.

19. A press comprising a frame, a ram slidable upon said frame, a plurality of aligned forming plungers slidably carried in said ram, means for vertically reciprocating said ram between predetermined upper and lower positions, a plurality of adjustable abutment means carried by said ram and said plungers and providing cooperation between said ram and each of said plungers for independently predetermining the movement of each plunger in said ram.

20. In a forming machine having plungers arranged to be moved between a forming position and a raised position by means of a lifting cam, the improvement comprising a cam shaft rotatably mounted in said machine, said cam shaft having an eccentric crank portion, a lifting cam mounted to said eccentric crank and having a shaft mounting aperture therethrough to receive, said crank, said cam being formed in two parts and detachably joined together along a line coinciding with a diameter of the aperture, and a lifting cam follower adapted to be acted upon by said lifting cam.

21. In a forming machine having plungers arranged to be driven between a raised position and a forming position :by means of a driving cam, the improvement comprising a cam shaft rotatably mounted in said machine, said cam shaft having an eccentric crank portion, the driving cam mounted to said eccentric crank and having a shaft mount ing aperture therethrough to receive said crank, said cam being formed in two parts and detachably joined together along a line coinciding with a diameter of the aperture, and a driving cam follower adapted to be acted upon by said driving cam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 171,921 1/1876 Cock 74-567 557,554 4/ 1896 Clemens 83620 X 689,222 12/1901 Peck i 227-56 1,348,892 8/1920 Pierson 7455 2,341,131 2/1944 Wales 83620 X 2,355,344 8/1944 Wales 83640 X 2,380,123 7/1945 Smith 83620 X 2,639,619 5/1953 Pater 1()0292 X 2,703,143 3/1955 Good et al. 83+640 3,094,091 6/ 1963 Peccerill -292 X 3,199,358 8/1965 Bradlee 100-292 X 3,256,801 6/1966 Greenspan 99-254 BILLY J. WILHITE, Primary Examiner. 

2. A PRESS COMPRISING A FRAME, A RAM SLIDABLE UPON SAID FRAME, A PLURALITY OF ALIGNED PLUNGERS SLIDABLY CARRIED IN SAID RAM, MEANS FOR VERTICALLY RECIPROCATING SAID RAM BETWEEN PREDETERMINED UPPER AND LOWER POSITIONS, EACH OF SAID PLUNGERS HAVING A TOOL HOLDER THEREON, AND MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN EACH OF SAID TOOL HOLDERS AND SAID RAM FOR PREDETERMINING THE POSITION OF SAID PLUNGERS WITH RESPECT TO SAID RAM WHEN SAID RAM IS IN A FORMING POSITION. 